1) Choosing the right wine for the meal

QUESTION: When I'm out at an elegant restaurant, I often find it difficult to select the type of wine that would best suit my meal. Red or white, Chianti, Merlot, Pinot Grigio. Which wine is right for which food?

FABRIZIO: Do what I do when it comes to food and wine. I first choose my wine and let the food fall into place. It's Italian style. If all else fails, use these basic rules for choosing a wine: match light bodied wines with light foods, and full-bodied wines with heavier foods. And remember, you should never feel intimidated by wine: it is fun and should be enjoyed, especially when out at dinner with friends!

2) Restaurant Wine Etiquette

QUESTION: Whenever I order wine, and the server brings the bottle of wine to the table, I always do the obligatory swirl, taste and smile routine. Is there any specific etiquette routine that I should be following?

FABRIZIO: When a server brings a bottle of wine to the table, the first thing he or she will do is show you the bottle. You should verify that the bottle the server brought is the bottle that you ordered. Then the server will uncork the wine and may put the cork down on the table. Some people like to keep the cork as a token of the occasion. You should make sure that the cork is moist, as a very dry cork could indicate that the bottle has gone bad. The server will then pour a bit of wine for you to taste. This is simply for you to tell if the wine is bad or not (it rarely is). Take a small sip and if it is to your liking, give him a nod so he knows to pour a bit more in your glass and to fill your companion's glass as well.

3) Storing Wine

QUESTION: I hate to waste good wine but my friends and I don't always finish every bottle to the last drop. How long can I keep wine after I've opened the bottle?

FABRIZIO: Re-cork the wine. If you want to get fancy, you can seal the bottle with a vacuum sealer, which keeps the bottle airtight and acts in place of a cork. Put it in the refrigerator. On average, red and white wine will keep for 3 to 5 days.

QUESTION: I have had a half-empty bottle of Chianti sitting in my fridge for three days and I'm worried that it may no longer be good. How can I tell when a wine has gone bad?

FABRIZIO: A wine goes bad when it has been oxidized. You can generally tell if it has gone bad if it has an unpleasant vinegar or moldy smell. If you are still not sure, go ahead and taste the wine, it will not make you sick, it may just taste unpleasant. If the wine has gone bad, discard it and open a new bottle.

QUESTION: I love to have lots of wine on hand for when I throw a little party at the spur of the moment. But I'm nervous about storing it all. What is the best way to store wine if I don't have a wine cellar?

FABRIZIO: If you are just looking to store wines that do not need to be aged, you can store them away from light and heat. Just make sure to store wines on their side, so that the cork will remain moist. The closet is always a good short-term option for storing wine. The most important part of storing wine, is that it stays at a constant temperature.

4) Serving Wine at the Right Temperature

QUESTION: When I'm serving wine at home to friends, at which temperature should it be served?

FABRIZIO: In general, you can enjoy wine at whatever temperature your taste prefers. White wines, rosés, and champagnes/sparkling wines tend to taste best chilled. To thoroughly chill a bottle, simply place it in the refrigerator about 2 hours before you plan to serve it or 45 minutes in a bucket of ice water. Red wines are typically served at room temperature.

5) Wine Label Lingo

QUESTION: What does all that information on the wine label mean? Especially my favorite Italian wines with the DOCG letters?

FABRIZIO: DOCG authentication means that the wine has met the most stringent Italian controls as well as identifying the best and most traditional vine varieties and wine growing regions. Other information you'll find on the wine bottle include:
-- brand name (Ecco Domani)
-- the varietal of wine (Merlot, etc.)
-- the vintage date
-- the amount of wine (a typical bottle is 750 ml)
-- name and contact information for the winery
-- the alcoholic content
-- bottling information

6) Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris what's the difference?

QUESTION: What is the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris?

FABRIZIO: The Pinot Grigio loves cool climates. The finest Pinot Grigios come from the northern regions of Italy, especially those that border the Alps. In Alsace, France, a different clone of this grape variety is known as Pinot Gris. This particular grape variety is also known as Pinot Gris in the American states of California and Oregon.

7) Understanding Wine Aromas

QUESTION: So when people talk about a wine's "bouquet," what are they referring to?

FABRIZIO: Bouquet refers to the scents found in wine which come from sources other than the grapes, such as the vanilla scent of the oak barrels in which the wine might have been fermented or aged. Scents like "earthy" and "floral" are also frequently included in the bouquet description.

Click here to find out more about Ecco Domani Winemaker, Fabrizio Gatto.